All because two people fell in love

Eight children, 21 grandchildren, and the legacy continue. 

Claude B. Kershner, Jr was a man of faith, family devotion, and community service. Born June 5th, 1928, and from Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, Claude “never met a stranger" and always made you feel welcome. He was a Patron Member of Ocean Reef Club and truly loved the community filled with friends, family, and activities. In 1960 Claude bought a small retail stationery store. With the help of his wife and children, they developed CB Kershner, Inc. into one of the largest office products firms in the northeast, ultimately employing 170 people and selling to a public company in 1996. The hallmark of this family firm was an extreme dedication to customer satisfaction and honor in all dealings with vendors, clients, and employees. 

Claude B. Kershner III purchased three small businesses in South Florida and was a dedicated and hardworking figure in the Pool and Landscape industry and the South Florida business scene. With the humility to confide in mentors and the patience to start small and dream big, Claude B. Kershner III realized the possibilities of a service-oriented business in South Florida in 1998. He teamed up with his son, Claude IV, in 2010 and grew the business to over 12mill in sales and ten associates. The company sold at the end of 2021 to a private equity firm and is now the platform company for an industry roll-up. 

Claude B. Kershner IV full bio

We found that the peaceful objectives of an exit are the valuation, negotiation, letter of intent (LOI), proceeds calculation, taxes & final transaction. Conversely, the decision-making processes around selling and to whom, operational leadership voids during diligence, concerns for associates' futures, integrity-driven relationship management, & retirement planning can be the most challenging.